The Weight of Goodbye || minsung

the final embrace

The days following their heart-to-heart were a mixture of tentative hope and lingering dread. Jihoon made an effort to reach out more, slowly revealing pieces of himself that had long been hidden. Jisung and Minho held onto each moment, grateful for the progress but painfully aware of the fragility of their situation.

As the weather grew colder, an unsettling chill settled in the air, mirroring the turmoil simmering beneath the surface. Jisung felt it most acutely during their evenings together, where laughter often filled the room but was sometimes punctuated by an uncomfortable silence, as if they were all waiting for the other shoe to drop.

One particularly crisp afternoon, as they sat in their favorite café, Jihoon glanced out the window, lost in thought. Jisung and Minho exchanged worried glances, sensing that something was weighing heavily on him.

"Jihoon, is everything okay?" Minho asked gently, drawing Jihoon's attention back to them.

"Yeah, I just... I've been thinking a lot," Jihoon admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "About life, and what it all means. I've been trying to find some clarity."

"We're here for you," Jisung said, his heart aching at the sight of Jihoon's troubled expression. "You can talk to us about anything."

"Sometimes, I feel like I'm in a dark tunnel," Jihoon confessed, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. "I can see the light at the end, but it feels so far away. I'm scared I'll never reach it."

"Just take it one step at a time," Minho urged, his hand resting on Jihoon's reassuringly. "You're not alone in this. We'll walk with you."

"I know, and that helps," Jihoon said, managing a small smile. "But there are days when it feels like I'm fighting an uphill battle. I don't want to drag you both down with me."

Jisung leaned forward, determination flooding through him. "You could never drag us down. We love you, Jihoon. We want to support you, even when it's hard."

Their conversation lingered in the air, heavy with unspoken fears. They talked late into the evening, sharing stories, laughter, and heartfelt moments that had Jisung believing they were slowly conquering the darkness together.

Yet, as the days turned into weeks, a shadow loomed ever closer. Jihoon's struggles remained a constant battle, and although he had begun to open up, Jisung couldn't shake the fear that something terrible was on the horizon.

One rainy evening, after a long day of classes, Jisung and Minho arrived home to find Jihoon waiting for them, his face pale and drawn. Instantly, Jisung's heart sank.

"Hey, Jihoon," Minho said, concern flooding his voice. "Are you okay?"

"I need to talk to you both," Jihoon said, his voice trembling slightly. "It's important."

They quickly settled on the couch, Jisung's heart racing as he sensed the weight of the moment. "What is it?" he asked, struggling to keep his voice steady.

Jihoon took a deep breath, his hands shaking. "I've been seeing a counselor, and they've helped me realize a lot about my feelings. But there's something I need to tell you, something I've been holding back."

"What is it?" Minho pressed gently, his gaze fixed on Jihoon, filled with concern.

"I'm scared," Jihoon admitted, tears brimming in his eyes. "I'm scared that I'll never be enough for you both. That I'll always be this burden you have to carry."

"Jihoon, you are so much more than that to us," Jisung said, his heart breaking. "We love you, and we're here for you no matter what. You don't have to carry this alone."